Ty Simpson made waves on Thursday when it was announced that he would attend the NFL Draft. With Fernando Mendoza all but a lock to be the first overall pick, Simpson is widely considered the No. 2 quarterback in the class, but his status as a first-round pick remains uncertain.
Quarterback Ty Simpson’s Status As First-Round Pick in 2026 Draft Still Unknown
The quarterback from Alabama is not a sure-fire prospect like Mendoza. He’s ranked as the No. 43 prospect in PFSN’s Big Board for the 2026 draft, but positional value could see him jump into the first night.
There are a few teams that could take a shot and pick Simpson in the first round due to the fifth-year option. Taking a quarterback in the first round is extra special due to the added year.
However, ESPN’s draft analyst Matt Miller, on Friday, threw cold water on Simpson’s hopes:
Miller: “I’m still struggling to find a team for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson in Round 1. In talking to sources throughout the league, you often hear teams suggest someone might take him, but no one is convinced on who that might be.”
Teams that desperately need a franchise quarterback, such as the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals, will pick in the first round much earlier than Simpson’s value is expected to be. However, Miller points out that even those teams are unlikely to trade up and draft him.
Miller: “Even the idea of the Cardinals trading back into Round 1 was met with skepticism from one scouting director I spoke to. ‘Why give up draft picks to jump into Round 1 when the Jets didn’t like him enough at No. 2 or No. 16 to take him?’ they said.”
“A surprise team could emerge as a landing spot for Simpson, but the more likely reality is he’s still on the board in Round 2.”
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According to PFSN’s CFB QB Impact Metric, he was the 25th-ranked quarterback in college football last year with an impact score of 85.4. His numbers were excellent, with 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. Still, a few inconsistencies in his game have NFL scouts concerned about his ability to shine at the next level.
The draft always brings surprises, and quarterbacks have been the subject of desperate moves in many years. There’s no depth in the position, and Mendoza will be off the board sooner rather than later. The night could end well for the Alabama quarterback, but it’s hard to fully believe it at this point.
